In this article I read that some British teacher, at the Christian Fellowship School in Liverpool, is seeking to be able to use corporal punishment. Of course, I don't agree with any physical punishment on children (nice lesson you give when you smack a child), and I certainly wouldn't accept someone other than a parent smakcing a kid.

The article says:

His case partly centered around a biblical passage -- "Your rod and staff they comfort me" -- which he said supported the right of Christians to impose corporal punishment as part of their religious beliefs.

Well, I don't know this passage in context, but it alone doesn't seem to equate to corporal punishment. Is it really a religious belief of Christians to hit kids? Didn't Christ say something about turning the other cheek? I don't recall it being "turn the other cheek unless it is towards a minor misbehaving in a school and that is the only way your teeny tiny little mind can think of to impose some sort of punishment."

I know in some Buddhist monestaries it is customary for the abbot to strike students on the shoulders with a staff while meditating. This is done to clear the mind of the student, and help invoke enlightenment. That's the only thing I know of, from any religion, which regards any kind of striking. Of course, in this case, the students are there by choice and accept any pain in the name of attaining Samsara.

Seems like another case where some Christian bozo is interpreting the bible to suit his own desires. Maybe one of the priests who molested kids will use the same passage as a defense. "Hey, the bible said a rod is comforting, so I gave the kid my rod! I didn't know it meant a stick!"